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KWAL

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
KWAL
Broadcast areaSilver Valley
Frequency620 kHz
Programming
FormatDefunct (was Country)
AffiliationsWestwood One
Ownership
OwnerMetals Broadcasting Co.
History
First air date
May 1938; 86 years ago (1938-05)[1]
Last air date
August 31, 2018; 6 years ago (2018-08-31)
Technical information
Facility ID41318
ClassB
Power1,000 watts day
250 watts night
Transmitter coordinates
47°30′29″N 116°0′17″W / 47.50806°N 116.00472°W / 47.50806; -116.00472

KWAL (620 AM) was a radio station broadcasting a country format to the Wallace, Idaho, United States, area. The station was owned by Metals Broadcasting Co. and featured programming from Westwood One.[2] KWAL was unique because it was the only AM antenna array that had an interstate highway running through it.[3] The station broadcast in C-QUAM AM stereo.[4]

On April 9, 2016, the north tower collapsed after a pickup truck struck a guy wire. The station was granted authority to operate at 250 watts during nighttime hours using the south tower only. The FCC granted them the opportunity giving them a two-year deadline to rebuild the tower. KWAL failed to rebuild the north tower; consequently, they were forced to shut down.

The station's license was surrendered to the FCC for cancellation on November 4, 2019, and eventually cancelled by the FCC on February 13, 2020.

History

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In 1938, KWAL entered the Silver Valley's airwaves. In 1948, KWAL's frequency changed from 1450 kHz to 620 kHz, and its power increased from 250 Watts to 1 kilowatt. At that time, the station was a Mutual affiliate, licensed to Silver Broadcasting Company.[5]

References

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  1. ^ KWAL Timeline, The History of Idaho Broadcasting Foundation, Inc. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  2. ^ "DKWAL Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  3. ^ "Site of the Week 10/26/2012: KWAL, Wallace, Idaho". 26 October 2012.
  4. ^ "AM CQuam Stereo - The Virtual Engineer - Broadcast Engineering Forums".
  5. ^ "Power of KWAL Wallace Is Boosted to 1 kw" (PDF). Broadcasting. November 1, 1948. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
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